Penelope Andrews
Head of Department
Lot 49
Rolex. A fine and rare 18K gold diamond and yellow sapphire set automatic chronograph wristwatch Cosmograph Daytona 'Leopard', Ref: 116598 SACO, Circa 2006
19 June 2025, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£35,000 - £55,000
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Jonathan Darracott
Global Head
Charles Dower
Head of sale, Knightsbridge
Sarah Fergusson
Senior Specialist
George Kidwell
Senior Cataloguer
Edith Chong
Cataloguer
Joselyn Sizer
Sale Coordinator
Rolex. A fine and rare 18K gold diamond and yellow sapphire set automatic chronograph wristwatch
Model: Cosmograph Daytona 'Leopard'
Reference: 116598 SACO
Date: Circa 2006
Movement: 44-jewel Cal.4130 automatic, adjusted to 5 positions & temperature, No.C0199930
Dial: Leopard print, applied diamond set hour markers with gilt Arabic numeral quarters, white outer 1/5th second divisions, gilt subsidiary dials at 3, 6 and 9 for seconds, 30 minute and 12 hour recording, gilt baton hands with black inserts, centre chronograph hand
Case: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back, crown flanked with twin screw down chronograph pushers, bezel set with 36 baguette cut yellow 'cognac' sapphires, diamond set end links, No.D806843
Strap/Bracelet: Leopard print Rolex leather
Buckle/Clasp: Signed 18K gold folding clasp, stamped MA
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 40mm
Reference: 116598 SACO
Date: Circa 2006
Movement: 44-jewel Cal.4130 automatic, adjusted to 5 positions & temperature, No.C0199930
Dial: Leopard print, applied diamond set hour markers with gilt Arabic numeral quarters, white outer 1/5th second divisions, gilt subsidiary dials at 3, 6 and 9 for seconds, 30 minute and 12 hour recording, gilt baton hands with black inserts, centre chronograph hand
Case: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back, crown flanked with twin screw down chronograph pushers, bezel set with 36 baguette cut yellow 'cognac' sapphires, diamond set end links, No.D806843
Strap/Bracelet: Leopard print Rolex leather
Buckle/Clasp: Signed 18K gold folding clasp, stamped MA
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 40mm
Footnotes
Introduced in 2004, the 116598 SACO was nicknamed the Leopard for obvious reasons. This was a bold, unconventional and quite frankly unapologetic Daytona from Rolex that is in stark contrast to the more conservative palettes that are featuring in the latest offerings from the brand. The 116598 SACO displays a striking leopard print lacquered dial with diamond hour markers and, as indicated by 'SACO' in the reference, 36 Saphirs Cognac - French for cognac sapphires - set on the bezel. A further 48 round brilliant diamonds adorn the lug hood pieces which sit a top the leopard print calf leather strap with 18K gold folding clasp.
Leopard print is very much a love it or hate it look but one that has been a style statement for centuries. Right now Leopard print is trending and this 116598 SACO certainly offers an exciting way of levelling up any collection.